Extracting & Straining Tools

butter muslin Notes:   This resembles a tightly woven cheesecloth and is used for straining fine particles from a liquid. Substitutes: cotton cloth, like a sheet or pillowcase OR coffee filter coffee filter Substitutes:  heavy duty paper towel OR cheesecloth folded several times degreasing pitcher Substitutes:  Set pan in refrigerator until fat congeals on top, then scrape it off OR pour drippings into measuring cup, then use bulb baster to remove grease on top

salad spinner Substitutes:  put rinsed greens in a colander, cover with towel, shake OR lay rinsed greens on a towel, roll up gently, and refrigerate

slotted spoon Substitutes:  Chinese wire-mesh strainer OR colander nested in pot OR tongs

yogurt strainer Notes:  This fine-meshed strainer is used to drain off the whey from yogurt in order to make yogurt cheese. Substitutes: Line a colander with several folds of cheesecloth or fine cloth.